If Cornyn gets FBI post, who replaces him? Here are 5 possibilities.

Asher Price @asherprice

Monday

May 15, 2017 at 12:01 AMSep 22, 2018 at 2:00 AM

If President Donald Trump taps U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to run the FBI, Gov. Greg Abbott would name a successor. An election to serve the remainder of Cornyn’s term would take place in November.

Here are five candidates Abbott might be considering:

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Why Abbott would name him: Patrick, despite announcing that he doesn’t plan to run for governor, is the most obvious threat to Abbott’s re-election as governor. A darling of the increasingly influential tea party wing of the Republican party, Patrick also can harness the energy of Team Trump — Patrick chaired Trump’s Texas campaign. That’s got to worry Abbott, who might want to get him as far from Texas as possible.

Why Abbott would not name him: Patrick’s departure for Washington would leave a power vacuum, and Abbott appears to favor stability. Besides, if he thinks there’s a chance Patrick won’t take the job — if Patrick harbors some wish to run against Abbott in 2018 — he might not offer him the post in the first place.

• U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin

Why Abbott would name him: McCaul, who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, has served in the U.S. House since 2005 and after being considered by Trump for U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, is hungry for another job. McCaul is also one of the wealthiest members, putting him in a good position to finance a statewide election run to defend the seat.

Why Abbott would not name him: See reasons, above, why he might name Dan Patrick.

• Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush

Why Abbott would name him: The land commissioner is another possible foe of Abbott’s for governor, so, as with Patrick, he might try to get him out of state.

Why Abbott would not name him: Regardless of George P. Bush’s merits, the country may be experiencing Bush dynasty fatigue. Bush has also taken shots from all sides on his efforts to re-assert state control over the management of the Alamo: By most accounts, such action was overdue, but any time you upset apple carts on such a prominent piece of property, you make enemies.

• U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin

Why Abbott would name him: Williams is well connected in Republican circles, having presided over the most recent Black Tie and Boots Ball during the Inauguration. A car dealership magnate, he’s rich, putting him in fine position, like McCaul, to underwrite the race he’ll need to undertake to defend the seat.

Why Abbott would not name him: Williams has faced questions over how he has mixed business and politics have dogged him.

• Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court Justice

Why Abbott would name her: This is Abbott’s chance to put a face on Republican diversity, as well as combat Democrats’ efforts to make Texas blue — one day — by appealing to Hispanics. Guzman, a reliable conservative vote on the bench, has demonstrated an ability to pull Hispanic votes, having been re-elected in 2016.

Why Abbott would not name her: See Patrick.

Correction: This story previously included incorrect information about Roger Williams and a run for U.S. Senate.

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